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Training & Curriculum

Mission Statement

The mission of the Cedars-Sinai Occupational Therapy Fellowship Program in Physical Rehabilitation with a focused specialty in hand therapy is to provide occupational therapists with advanced knowledge and skill training to become a:

  • Highly skilled patient care provider with a specialty in hand therapy practice
  • Resource, educator, mentor and leader to others in the community that they serve
  • Competent consumer and contributor to the scientific literature

Residency Goals & Objectives

Goal I:  Provide an environment which fosters the facilitation and acceleration of the professional to attain advanced clinical skills in order to provide the highest level of care that is occupation-based, evidence-based and results-oriented.

1. Fellow shall be competent in the evaluation and management of clients with hand conditions such as, but not limited to:
  • Dislocations, sprains, strains
  • Joint replacement
  • Tendonitis
  • Repetitive stress injuries
  • Fractures
  • Arthritis
  • Nerve and tendon injuries
  • Arthroplasties
  • Ligament Injuries
  • Dupuytren's contracture
  • Trigger finger
  • Volar plate injury
  • Pain

2. Fellow shall be competent in providing occupational therapy interventions such as splinting and use of appropriate therapeutic modalities.

Goal II:  The fellow will obtain the skills necessary to fulfill other professional roles such as educator, mentor and resource for others in the occupational therapy field in relation to physical rehabilitation, with a specialty in hand therapy

Goal III: The fellow will become a contributor to scholarly activity with a focus on the specialty area

Goal IV:  The program will facilitate cultural and scientific based development of professionals for future leadership positions at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and the community

The fellow receives 2000 program hours which include:

  • 350 mentoring hours
  • Mentored practice hours may fall under the following categories: service delivery, caseload management and professional development)
  • Minimum of 80 hours of didactic instruction, self-study
  • 50 hours dedicated to research and other projects/presentations
  • Remaining hours include non-mentored service delivery/clinic hours
  • The fellow is expected to engage in self-directed learning activities to support their success in the program
  • These hours may vary, based on the requirements of the accreditation program and the individualized needs of the fellow

The fellowship program will address the following areas through didactic and/or clinical exposure and mentoring in hand therapy:

Body of Knowledge

  • Demonstrate knowledge of:
    • Primary and secondary conditions
    • Relevant evidence specific to evaluation
    • Relevant evidence specific to intervention
    • Knowledge of institutional rules (and regulations); local, state, federal and international laws; and AOTA documents that inform and guide best practice in the fellowship area and the profession of occupational therapy

Reasoning and Performance Skills      

The process of formulating and implementing of the therapeutic intervention plan to facilitate occupational performance and participation must be culturally relevant, reflective of current occupational therapy practice, based on available evidence and on theoretical perspectives, models of practice and frames of reference.

Ethical Practice Skills

Identify ethical implications associated with the delivery of services and articulate a process for navigating through identified issues.

Interpersonal and Professional Skills

Scholarly and Professional Activities

Research

Exposure to research opportunities within the department is included in the fellowship program.

Have Questions or Need Help?

Contact us if you would like to learn more about the Occupational Therapy Fellowship Program in Physical Rehabilitation - Hand Therapy at Cedars-Sinai.

Maria Cecilia Alpasan, Clinical Operations Manager